Julie Walkup of Huntingdon had been working with her doctor to help regulate her blood pressure over the past several months. Although she knew it was still an issue, this did not deter her from taking a trip to California to celebrate her sister's birthday. While flying back to central Pennsylvania, she experienced chest pain, but decided to keep this to herself until the plane landed at University Airport in State College.

Once off the plane, she asked her friend to take her directly to the emergency department at Mount Nittany Medical Center. "In retrospect, I should have sought treatment when the chest pain started but I just wanted to be at home. The adjustment of the cabin pressure probably worsened my condition. I was very grateful that I made it to State College and then to the hospital in time," said Julie.

Once at Mount Nittany, the emergency department team and a cardiologist immediately assessed her. David Ambrose, MD, was called to review the findings and discuss treatment options. "Everyone in the emergency department was just terrific and very efficient. While it was fairly late at night, maybe 11:00 pm, the medical center had many professionals on staff to give me tests and keep me informed."

The hospitalist, (Dr. John C. Coppes, MD, internal medicine) reviewed my test results, including an EKG, and consulted with the cardiologist. Even the pharmacy department came to meet with me personally to discuss the medications I had been taking and the new medications I would be taking as prescribed by Dr. Ambrose. I was kept overnight for observation and was able to leave the next day. While the whole event was very scary, I was grateful for the excellent care I received in the emergency department," said Julie.